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Healthy Effects of Alcohol

Beverages containing alcohol, such as wine, distilled spirits and beer, have been shown to have some health benefits when consumed in moderation. According to Potsdam University, a meta-analysis of 34 studies showed that men who drink two to four alcoholic beverages per day and women who drink one to two alcoholic beverages per day have a significantly decreased risk of mortality. Experts and research suggest that people who drink alcohol in moderation may have a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and dementia, and decreased stress.

  1. Reduced Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

    • Cardiovascular disease affects the heart and blood vessels and can result from lack of exercise, smoking and stress. According to WebMD, adults may benefit from having an alcoholic beverage per day because it can reduce their risk for heart disease by increasing HDL cholesterol. However, healthy young adults without existing risks of heart disease and who do not already drink are not likely to reap any notable health benefits by starting, according to former cardiologist Arthur Klatsky.

    Reduced Risk of Stroke

    • Strokes occur when blood vessels are interrupted from carrying a sufficient supply of blood to the brain. According to Potsdam University, moderate consumption of alcohol reduces the risk of ischemic stroke by increasing HDL cholesterol, which is also protective against stroke. A study published in the American Heart Association in 1993 showed that people who did not drink at all had twice the risk of stroke when compared to moderate drinkers, reports Potsdam University.

    Stress Reduction

    • Excessive stress can be harmful to your health by causing anxiety, an inability to sleep, muscle aches and high blood pressure. Alcohol can reduce stress by causing euphoria when consumed in moderation. However, according to internal medicine specialist Gary Rogg, drinking for stress reduction may be more beneficial in social settings because it may offer "invaluable relaxation" instead of just an escape. Rogg says that relaxation may foster good attitudes and positive thinking, which seem to have a positive effect on health.

    Reduced Risk of Dementia

    • Dementia occurs when a group of symptoms caused by other diseases and conditions cause a gradual loss of mental functions such as thinking and memory. According to Time magazine, a study conducted in 2007 in Italy showed that elderly patients with mild dementia who drank in moderation slowed their progression of dementia by 85 percent when compared to patients with mild dementia who did not drink at all. Additionally, a study conducted in France in 1997 found that moderate drinkers have a 75 percent lower risk for developing Alzheimer's Disease, reports Potsdam University.

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